Photoelectric tube



Oct. 3, 1939. w. SOLLER PHOTOELECTRIC TUBE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 4, 1937 INVEN TOR.

BY w ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1939. w. SOLLER 2,174,537

PHOTOELECTRIC TUBE Filed 001;. 4, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 27 3 z 7 g7 INVENTOR.

T ae/am 60m u 'u' 5 IIE- ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHOT'OELECTRIC" TUBE- Walter Seller. Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor of one- 13 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to electron tube devices and more particularly to photoelectric devices having a plurality of photosensitive cathode elements.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a photoelectric device suitable for scanning operations in television transmitting systems requiring simultaneous viewing of a plurality of linearly related elements in the object televised.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of photoelectric device having a plurality of photosensitive cathode elements and a common anode structure for cooperation therewith.

A further object of my invention is to provide a dual construction of photoelectric tube, each portion thereof comprising a plurality of photosensitive cathode elements and a common anode structure for cooperation therewith, each plurality of photosensitive elements being adapted to receive a portion of light from a corresponding plurality of linearly related elements in the object televised.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of photoelectric device having a single plurality of photosensitive cathode elements and a common anode structure for cooperation therewith, light from a corresponding plurality of linearly related elements in an object to be televised being directed on the photosensitive cathode elements.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a construction of photoelectric device having a plurality of photosensitive cathode elements, and plate elements forming a narrow slit embracing all of the cathode elements and permitting a heteroluminous beam of light to pass to the cathode elements.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the structure and arrangements described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a horizontal sectional view, on line l-l in Fig. 3, of the dual photoelectric tube of my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof substantially on line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional-view taken substantially at rotation from Fig. 2 on line 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but looking in the opposite direction substantially on line 44 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the photosensitive cathode assembly from the rear thereof, taken on line 55 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the photosensitive cathode assembly, with parts in section taken substantially on line 6--6 in Fig. 1; Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view, on line l1 in Fig. 9, of a modified form of the photoelectric device of my invention; Fig. 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the modified photosensitive cathode assembly, taken on line 8-8 in Fig. '7; Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 in Fig. 7, being a view similar to Fig. 4.; Fig. 10 is an enlarged rear elevational view of a portion of the modified photosensitive cathode assembly, taken on line !0|!l in Fig. '7; and Figs. 11 and 12 are plan views of a modified form of mounting for the photosensitive cathode elements in the dual and single photoelectric devices, respectively, of my invention.

Television systems wherein pictures are transmitted by a complex signal current having components of sub-carrier nature have many advantages over the single carrier systems wherein substantially only a single photoelectric cathodeanode combination is employed. In the system producing a complex picture current, a plurality of photoelectric cathode-anode combinations are employed, each cathode receiving simultaneously the light from a difierent element of the object to be televised. For scanning purposes the elements thus simultaneously viewed are ordinarily arranged in linear relation and scanning is efiected in a direction normal thereto. The photoelectric tube of my invention is adapted to be of particular use in such systems but it will be seen to have features which render it adaptable to other uses, such as photometry, precision deflection measurements, decoding systems, etc.

Referring to the drawings in more detail Figs. l-fi illustrate the dual type of tube of my invention, whereas Figs. 7-10 show the single, modified form. Reference character I indicates the glass envelope of the tube, which has a flat transparent portion Ia at the front and the remainder thereof rendered opaque by a covering 2 of paint or the like. Within the envelope I, and adjacent the fiat transparent face la are supported a pair of rectangularly shaped plate members 3 and 4, evenly separated so as to form a narrow slit through which a beam of light may pass. Behind the plate members 3 and 4 and in alignment with the slit formed therebetween, I provide the photosensitive cathode assembly indicated generally at 5 in Figs. 1-6 and at [8 in Figs. 7-10.

In Figs. 1-6 the photosensitive cathode assembly 5 comprises a pair of end plates 6, l, and dual series of conductive and insulating laminations alternatively disposed between the end plates, in the manner shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein reference character 8 indicates the com ductive laminations, the front edges of which are coated with photoelectric cathodic material having the property of emitting electrons in proportion to the intensity of light incident thereon, and reference character 9 designates the insulating laminations which are substantially thinner than the conductive laminations 8. As shown in Fig. 1, the laminations are triangularly shaped and arranged in two series in a triangular plan the apex of which extends centrally of the slit formed by plates 3 and 4, so that light passing through the slit, normal to the flat face la of the envelope, will be divided equally between the photosensitive elements of each series.

Between the two sets of laminations, I provide insulating and shielding means, as shown especially in Fig. 6, comprising a sheet ll] of conductive material mounted between sheets I2, I3, of insulating material. The entire assembly, including laminations 8 and 9, and sheets l0, l2 and I3, is maintained between the end plates 6, I, by means of bolts l4, l5 which clamp the plates 6, 1, securely. The plates 6, I, have rod members [6 extending therefrom, which are sealed in glass presses in the envelope l, as indicated, for supporting the photosensitive assembly 5 in position.

Connections are made to each conductive lamination 8 in staggered formation as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, by conductors H which extend through the envelope I. The conductors ll are flattened at the ends which contact the laminations 8 so that better electrical connection is assured and less height is required. The conductors H may be soldered or otherwise secured to the respective laminations, or may simply be held in contact therewith by the pressure between end plates 6, 7, in the photosensitive cathode assembly.

Referring now to Figs. 7-10, the photosensitive assembly [8 comprises a pair of end plates I9, 20, and a single series of conductive and insulating laminations alternatively disposed between the end plates. The conductive laminations are indicated by reference character 2| and are rec tangular in shape with one edge thereof normal to the slit formed between plate members 3, 4. The edges of the conductive laminations opposite the slit are coated with photoelectric cathodic material having the property of emitting electrons in proportion to the intensity of light incident thereon. Reference character 23 indicates generally the insulating laminations provided intermediate the photosensitive laminations 2!, as shown more particularly in Fig. 8. Connections are made individually to each of the conductive laminations 2| by conductors 24 in a manner similar to that employed in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1-6 with conductors IT. The entire assembly including conductive and insulating laminations is maintained between the end plates I9, 20, by means of clamping bolts 25, 26. The plates I9, 20, are supported by rod members 27 in a manner similar to the support of the assembly 5 by rod members l6 as hereinbefore described.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, each plate member 3, 4 is mounted by rod members 28, 29 and an additional rod member 30, 3| respectively. The additional rod members 30, 3| extend through the envelope I and constitute connectors for the respective plates. In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1-6, each plate is separately connected for cooperation with the respectively positioned series of photosensitive elements. But in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 7-10 the connectors 30, 3| may be joined and both plates 3, 4 employed as a common anode.

By referring to my copending applications Serial No. 167,281, filed October 4, 1937, for Television modulation system and apparatus; and Serial No. 160,332, filed August 21, 1937, for Television system and apparatus, the tubes will be more clearly understood. The principal feature with respect to the tube employing the dual photosensitive assembly 5 is that the light rays must always pass through the slit between plates 3, 4 so as to be divided equally between the two series of photosensitive elements. In the drawings, the shielding separator means I 0, I2, l3, are shown in much greater thickness than is ordinarily permissible, and likewise the slit is shown of somewhat broader width. It will be understood that these .dimensions are to be correlated for maximum efficiency. In the tube shown in Figs. 7-10, the light may pass through the slit at any position within a wide angle, as indicated, in view of the width of the photosensitive edges of the conductive laminations 2|. These considerations involve differences only in the scanning mechanism employed.

The conductive and insulating laminations are designed with a relative thickness of 4:1 or greater, and an overall thickness of approximately .016"; which permits the construction of an assembly having about five hundred conductive laminations, with photosensitive edges, within a height of eight inches.

In order to facilitate construction of such an' assembly, the bolts M, I 5, and 25, 26, may be disposed closer to each other as indicated at I 4', l5, in Fig. 11, and 26, in Fig. 12, and provided with insulating sleeve members 34, 35, 36, 31, respectively. The conductive and insulating laminations are apertured to fit accurately over the sleeve members and the laminations thus are automatically aligned in the construction process. Top and bottom plates similarly apertured are provided for clamping the assembly in permanent alignment, and the construction is otherwise as hereinbefore set forth.

Thus while I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments, I desire it to be understood that no limitations are intended thereby upon my invention, and that modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, plate electrodes within said envelope disposed with uniform separation between adjacent edges thereof to provide a slit-like aperture opposite the transparent wall portion of said envelope, and a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed in linear relation in parallel alignment with said aperture.

2. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, plate electrodes within said envelope disposed with uniform separation between adjacent edges thereof to provide a slit-like aperture opposite the transparent wall portion of said envelope, and a dual photosensitive assembly including two series of photosensitive elements, each series mounted in linear relation and in parallel alignment with said aperture and each other.

3. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, plate electrodes within said envelope disposed with uniform separation between adjacent edges thereof to provide a slit-like aperture opposite the transparent wall portion of said envelope, a dual photosensitive assembly comprising two series of triangularly shaped conductive elements having photosensitive edges, said assembly being mounted in linear relation parallel with said aperture, with said conductive elements disposed in triangular formation with the apex of said formation disposed centrally opposite said aperture and the photosensitive edges of said conductive elements disposed at equal angles with respect to the plane of said aperture so that light passing through said aperture falls equally on said photosensitive edges.

4. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, plate electrodes within said envelope disposed with uniform separation between adjacent edges thereof to. provide a slit-like aperture opposite the transparent wall portion of said envelope, and a photosensitive assembly including a single series of photosensitive elements disposed in linear relation in parallel alignment with said aperture and of substantially greater width than said aperture.

5. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, plate electrodes within said envelope disposed with uniform separation between adjacent edges to provide a slit-like aperture opposite the transparent wall portion of said envelope, and a single photosensitive assembly comprising a series of rectangularly shaped conductive elements having photosensitive edges disposed normal to the longitudinal dimension of said slit-like aperture, said series of elements being mounted in linear relation in parallel alignment with said aperture.

6. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, means including spaced electrodes providing a slit-like aperture adjacent the inner side of the transparent wall portion of said envelope, and a photosensitive assembly including a plurality of stacked photosensitive elements disposed in linear relation in parallel alignment with said aperture.

7. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, a series of photosensitive elements in linear relation within said envelope opposite the transparent wall portion thereof, and light shielding electrode means providing a slit-like aperture therebetween at the transparent wall portion of said envelope adapted to pass light to said photosensitive elements within a narrow rectangular area embracing all of said elements.

8. A photoelectric device comprising an enve-. lope having a transparent wall portion, a series of photosensitive cathode elements in linear relation within said envelope opposite the transparent wall portion thereof, and light shielding means within said envelope providing a. slit-like aperture at the transparent wall portion of said envelope adapted to pass light to said photosensitive elements within a narrow rectangular area embracing all of said elements, said light shielding means being constituted as anode means cooperative with said photosensitive cathode elements.

9. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, a dual series of photosensitive cathode elements in parallel linear relation within said envelope opposite the transparent wall portion thereof, and a light shielding means within said envelope including spaced members providing a slit-like aperture between said dual series of photosensitive elements and the transparent wall portion of said envelope, each of said members being constituted as anode means cooperative with the respective one of said dual series of photosensitive cathode elements.

10. A photoelectric device comprising an envelope having a transparent wall portion, a single series of photosensitive cathode elements in linear relation with said envelope opposite the transparent wall portion thereof, and light shielding means within said envelope including spaced members providing a slit-like aperture between said photosensitive elements and the transparent wall portion of said envelope, said members being constituted as anode means cooperative with said photosensitive cathode elements.

11. A photoelectric device including, a dual series of photosensitive cathode elements in parallel linear relation and adapted to be energized by the same light energy, and separate anode means cooperative with each series of photosensitive cathode elements and common to all the cathode elements of the respective series.

12. A photoelectric device including a dual series of photosensitive elements in parallel linear relation, separator means therebetween comprising a pair of insulating sheet members and an intermediate metallic sheet member constituting shielding means.

13. A photoelectric device including conductive and insulating laminations alternately disposed in stacked linear relation with the edges of said conductive laminations coated with photosensitive cathodic material, and means supporting and aligning said laminations comprising a top and bottom plate members, a bolt member and an insulating collar therefor, said laminations being apertured to pass said insulating collar, and said bolt member extending through said top and bottom plate members and said collar and clamping said laminations between said plate members.

WALTER SOLLER. 

